Planetary Affinities of Several Asian Medicinal Herbs

1
Note: Relative to the basis applied in making the following allocations, see "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments" (also see my 1/10/10 posting in that thread)

+ S A T U R N +

Akebia (Mu tong)
Aloe vera
Amla

Bacopa (Brahmi)
Bai shao
Bitter Orange peel
Buplureum

Coptis root (Gold Thread)

Dandelion whole plant

Fo-ti

Gardenia flower
Gentian root
Gromwell (Lithospermum)

Isatis

Jasmine flower

Madder
Mahabala
Mai men dung

Neem
Niu bang zi

Peony root
Punarnava

Qian niu

Saffron
Shatavari
Sheng ma
Star Jasmine

Thuja orientalis seeds (Bo zi ren)
Tree Peony (Mu dan pi)

Vamsha roc.


+ J U P I T E R +

Apricot seed
Ashwangandha
Astragallus root

Bibhitaki
Black Sesame seeds
Broomrape (Rou cong rong)

Calamus
Cordyceps
Cotton root bark
Cynomorium (Suo yang)

Dang shen
Deer Antler (animal product)
Dong quai

Eucommia (Du jung)

Fennel seed

Gastrodia (Tien ma)
Ginseng
Guggul
Gymnema sylvestris

Haritaki

Morinda root (Ba ji tien)
Musta
Myrrh

Pyrola

Reishi mushroon
Rose petals

San chi
Shiitake mushroom
Spikenard

Tienchi

Wild Yam (Shan yao)


+ M A R S +

Apricot seed
Asafoetida
Ashwangandha

Bai zhi

Calamus
Camphor
Cang zhu
Chen xiang
Chiang huo
Cinnamon bark
Cnidium (She chuang zi)
Costus (Mu xiang)
Corydalis formosa

Dong quai
Du huo

Foenugreek
Fo-ti
Frankincense (Boswellia)

Galangal root
Ginger root
Ginseng
Gokshura
Guggul

Haritaki

Magnolia bark
Musta

Orange peel

Pippili long pepper
Polygala (Yuan zhi)
Psoralea (Bu gu zhi)
Pyrola

San chi
Schizandra berry
Siberian ginseng
Spikenard
Szechuan pepper

Tienchi
Teasel
Turmeric

Wild Yam (Shan yao)

Xuan fu hua


+ S U N +

Ajwan

Bai zhi
Basil (Tulsi)

Calamus
Camphor
Cardamon seed
Chen xiang
Chiang huo
Chuan xiong
Clematis
Cinnamon bark
Cloves
Cnidium (She chuang zi)
Corydalis formosa
Costus (Mu xiang)
Cumin seed
Curculigo (Hsien mao)

Dong quai
Du huo

Fennel seed
Frankincense (Boswellia)

Gastrodia (Tien ma)
Ginger root
Guggul
Gu jing cao
Gymnema sylvestris

Haritaki
Horny Goat Weed

Jing jie

Magnolia flower
Morinda root (Ba ji tien)
Mugwort
Musta
Myrrh

Orange peel

Polygala (Yuan zhi)
Psoralea (Bu gu zhi)

Sandalwood
Sha ren
Siberian ginseng
Star anise

Teasel
Turmeric

Xuan fu hua


+ V E N U S +

Amla

Bala
Bamboo root/stem

Chyrsanthemum flower

Dandelion whole plant
Dendrobium (Shih hu)
Dwarf Bamboo

Eclipta alba (Bhringraj)

Fo-ti

Gambir
Gotu kola
Gromwell (Lithospermum)

Hibiscus flower

Jin yin hua

Kudzu

Madder
Mahabala
Mai men dung
Mulberry root bark

Rehmannia

Saffron
Shatavari
Sheng ma
Solomon's Seal

Tiger Lily
Tiger Thistle (Da jih hua)
Tree Peony (Mu dan pi)

Vamsha roc.
Vidari

White Lily
Wolfberry root


+ M E R C U R Y +

Aduki bean
Amla
American ginseng
Astragallus root

Broomrape (Rou cong rong)
Buplureum

Cattail (Pu huang)
Coriander seed
Chinese Dogwood
Cotton root bark

Dodder (Tu si zi)

Eclipta alba (Bhringraj)

Fo-ti
Foxnut (Qian shi)

Gingko biloba
Gotu kola

Hibiscus flower

Jambul seed
Jie geng

Licorice root
Lotus (flower/root/seed)

Niu xi
Nu jin zi

Peach seed
Peony root
Polygonatum cirr (Huang jing)

Reishi mushroom

Saffron
Schizandra berry
Sheng ma
Shiitake mushroom
Solomon's Seal

Thuja orientalis seed (Bo zi ren)
Tree Peony (Mu dan pi)
Tuckahoe (Poria)

Wild Chinese Jujube


+ M O O N +

Ajwan
Akebia (Mu tong)
Aloe vera
Apricot seed

Bala
Bamboo leaf
Bibhitaki
Broomrape (Rou cong rong)

Clematis
Coptis (Gold Thread)
Costus (Mu xiang)
Cynomorium (Suo yang)

Deer Antler (animal product)
Dendrobium (Shih hu)
Dragon's Blood resin
Dwarf Bamboo

Haritaki

Isatis

Kudzu

Magnolia bark
Mahabala

Niu xi

Peach seed
Punarnava

Rehmannia

Schizandra berry

Thuja orientalis seed (Bo zi ren)
Tienchi
Tiger Lily

Vidari

Xuan fu hua

2
I'm not clear on the connection between Asian plants and traditional Western astrology. Could you clarify this and perhaps explain why it is on the traditional forum?

Tom

3
The astro-therapeutic criteria of traditional Western astrology may be applied in the evaluation and therapeutic application of natural remedies from around the world. Asian herbal medicines (Ayurvedic, Chinese and Japanese) may be subjected to our traditional Western humoral, zodiacal and planetary affinity analyses in the same way that Euro-American herbs are evaluated by our Western astrological criteria.

This is what I have done here, applying the analytical criteria I mentioned in my "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments". Now, these important Asian herbs can be selected for therapeutic consideration by our traditional Western astro-medical models (such as horary and decumbiture technique), rather than by Jyotish or Chinese astrology methods, 5 element theory, tridosha analysis, etc.

4
Hi dr farr
Since this is the traditional forum, I think that Tom is aiming to clarify whether these associations are taken from, or agree with traditional sources. If so, where do they come from? If not, you probably just need to point that out.

Also, I think it would be better if you kept all your herbal associations in one thread, so that the topics are kept together, and any discussion on your ideas relates to the same material. Do you want me to copy your other post over to this thread?
Deb

5
MY allocations are derived by comparing the humoral and other afffinities given in the texts cited in my "Introduction to the Table of Herbal Temperaments", with the quality of hot/cold/neutral, bitter/astringent/sweet/pungent/spicy/sour/salty affinities of the planets as given by Ibn Ezra. My allocations are different than those recorded in older literature, as I pointed out in the above referenced posting (as also in my 1/10/10 posting in that thread, qv) However, my allocations are entirely based upon traditional qualitative humoral and planetary indications, based upon Ibn Ezra:

Saturn: cold, bitter, astringent
Jupiter: warm, astringent, sweet
Mars: warm/hot, bitter, pungent
Sun: warm, spicy
Venus: cool, sweet
Mercury: neutral; also any bitter, sweet, spicy, astringent, which is neutral; also any sour either neutral, hot or cold; also any pungent/spicy which is cold (following Ibn Ezra in the understanding of Mercury as basically cold+dry in nature, but neutral in joining with other planetary natures)
Moon: any salty (hot or neutral or cold); I have also extended Lunar allocation to any herb which is known to exert a significant eliminative effect, due to the traditional association of the Moon with excretory function.

It would be great if you would copy all of these herbal postings over into one thread (including the herbal temperament postings) Actually, I had originally thought of these postings as possible articles on your site (rather than on the Forum)

==============================================

Moved from the philosphy forum (posted 30 Jan 2010) - DH

Planetary Affinities of the 14 Meridians

Those Skyscript members interested (or involved) in Oriental Medicine might find the following of some value. While there are some meridian/planet affinities to be found in the literature, I personally have not been much satisfied with them (just as I have not been satisfied with the various astrological and humoral allocations of herbs given in the historical literature) As in the case of herbal remedies, so too regarding the meridians: over the past 2 years my studies (and experiences) have led me to create my own allocation "model":

+Governor Vessel: SUN
+Conception Vessel: MOON

+Bladder Meridian: MOON
+Gallbladder Meridian: MARS
+Heart Meridian: SUN
+Kidney Meridian: SATURN
+Large Intestine Meridian: MOON
+Liver Meridian: JUPITER
-Lung Meridian: MERCURY
+Pericardium Meridian: SUN
+San Jiao (Triple Heater) Meridian: SUN
+Small Intestine Meridian: JUPITER *
+Spleen (+Pancreas) Meridian: JUPITER
+Stomach Meridian: VENUS


(* I am not yet certain of this affinity: it is definitely possible that the more accurate allocation of this meridian is to MARS)

6
HUMORAL & PLANETARY AFFINITIES OF UNANI-TIBB MEDICINAL HERBS

+First is the English name of the herb; next is its Tibb name (+ Chishti means a Euro-American herb added by Hakim Chishti in his "Traditional Healer"); following this is the humoral (temperament) allocation, and last is the planetary allocation (if more than 1 planet is mentioned they are listed in alphabetical order)

-Acacia, false (Gum Arabic): Aqaquiya; Earth; Venus

-Ajwain: (same word); Fire; Moon - Sun

-Aloeswood: Qud, Lowah; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-Aloe Vera: Sabir; Air + Fire + Water; Moon - Saturn

-Ammoniacum: Ushaq; Fire; Mars

-Aniseed: Anisun; Fire; Mars - Sun

-Asafoetida (resin); Hring; Fire; Mars


-Balsam Fir; Tanub; Fire; Jupiter - Mars

-Barberry root; Amir Baris; Air; Moon - Saturn

-Basil; Shahfaran; Fire; Sun

-Bayberry bark; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Sun

-Beleric myrobalan; Bahera; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter-Mars-Moon-Sun

-Betel Nut; Faufal; Fire; Mars - Moon

-Black Pepper; Murch siah; Fire; Mars

-Borage; Lasan al-Thur; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus


-Camphor; Kafur; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-Capsicum; Filfil ah; Fire; Mars

-Caraway seed; Karawyah; Fire; Moon (?) - Sun

-Cardamon seed; Qaqullah; Fire; Sun

-Catnip; (+ Chishti); Fire; Mercury - Saturn

-Celandine (Chelidonium maj.); Mamiran Kabir; Air; Moon - Saturn

-Chamomile; Babunag; Air + Fire; Mars

-Chestnut leaf; Qastal; Water; Mercury - Venus

-Chicory; Hindbah; Air; Moon - Saturn

-Chyrsanthemum (Feverfew); (+ Chishti); Air; Venus

-Cinnamon bark; Dar Chini; Fire + Earth; Mars

-Cistus (Rock Rose); Ladan; Water; Mercury - Venus

-Clove bud; Qaranful; Fire; Sun

-Comfrey root; Irq Injbar; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus

-Coriander seed; Kuzbarah; Fire; Mercury

-Cottonseed; Cotn; Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mercury

-Cucumber; Khiyar; Water; Moon

-Cumin seed; Kammun; Fire; Sun


-Date; Tamr; Earth; Venus

-Dill; Shalat; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn

-Dodder seed; Kasoos; Fire + Water; Mercury

-Dragons Blood resin; Dam Al-Ak; Fire + Water; Moon


-Embelic myrobalan; Amlaj; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter-Mars-Moon-Sun

-Embelia; Abranajah; Fire; Sun

-Eyebright; (+ Chishti); Air + Water; Saturn


-Fennel; Shamar; Fire + Water; Jupiter - Sun

-Fig; Tin; Water + Earth; Moon - Venus

-Foenugreek; Hubba; Air + Fire + Earth; Mars

-Frankincense; Al-Kunnuk; Air + Fire + Earth; Mars - Sun


-Garlic; Thum; Fire; Mars - Sun

-Gentian root; Jantiana; Air; Saturn

-Ginger root; Zanjabil; Fire; Mars - Sun

-Goldenseal root; (+ Chishti); Air; Moon - Saturn

-Grapevine; (+ Chishti); Earth; Mercury - Saturn


-Henna; (same word); Air; Saturn

-Hops; Hashishah al-Dinar; Air; Saturn

-Horehound; Farasiun; Air; Saturn

-Hyssop; Zufa; Air + Fire; Moon


-Jasmine; Yasmin; Air; Saturn

-Jujube; Annab; Earth; Jupiter

-Juniper berry; Ar-ar; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Sun


-Khalonji; (same word); Air + Fire; Mars


-Lavender; Ustokhudus; Fire; Mercury

-Lemon; Laimum; Air + Earth; Mercury

-Licorice root; Meluthi; Water + Earth; Mercury

-Lily of the Valley; Mad'af; Air + Earth; Mercury

-Linseed/Flaxseed; Kittan; Water + Earth; Mercury - Moon

-Lobelia; (+ Chishti); Air; Mercury


-Malabar Nut; Arusa; Air; Mercury - Saturn

-Malva; Kubbazi; Air + Earth; Saturn - Venus

-Mango; Manju; Air + Water + Earth; Moon - Saturn - Venus

-Marjoram; Bardnqush; Fire; Sun

-Marshmallow root; Khatmiya; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus

-Masterwort; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Mercury + Moon + Saturn

-Mastic; Mustaki; Fire + Earth; Mars - Sun

-Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale); Lilah; Fire; Mars

-Melilot; Handuq; Fire + Water; Venus

-Mugwort; Swaila; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-Mustard seed; Saljam; Fire; Mars

-Myrrh; Murt; Air + Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Sun

-Myrtle leaf; Marsin; Air + Fire + Earth; Mercury - Sun


-Nutmeg; Juz al-tibb; Fire; Sun


-Olive leaf; Zaitun; Earth; Venus

-Partridge berry (Squaw vine); (+ Chishti); Air + Water; Moon - Saturn

-Pellitory root; Aquir Qarha; Fire; Mars

-Pennyroyal; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-Peppermint; Na'na; Fire; Mercury

-Plantain; Lisan; Air + Water; Moon - Saturn

-Pomegranate root; Raman; Air + Water; Jupiter-Moon-Saturn-Venus

-Poppy; Khashkhas; Air; Saturn

-Prickly Ash; (+ Chishti); Air + Fire; Sun

-Pumpkin seed; Qar; Water + Earth; Moon

-Purslane; Rijla; Water; Mercury - Moon


-Quince; Safarjal; Air + Earth; Mercury


-Radish; Fujl; Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars - Mercury

-Raspberry leaf; Aliq aswo; Air + Water; Saturn

-Red Clover blossoms; Barsim; Fire + Water; Moon - Venus

-Rhubarb; Rawand; Air; Moon - Saturn

-Rose petals; Gubab; Air + Fire + Water; Jupiter


-Safflower; Qurtum; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-Saffron; Za faran; Air + Fire + Water; Mercury - Saturn - Venus

-Sandalwood; Sandal; Air + Fire + Water; Jupiter - Sun

-Sarsaparilla root; Sabarina; Fire + Water + Earth; Jupiter - Mercury

-Scabious Devils Bit; (+ Chishti); Earth; Mercury - Venus

-Sebestan; Qabbar; Fire; Mars

-Senna; Air + Water; Moon - Saturn - Venus

-(Black) Sesame seed; Sem sem; Earth; Jupiter

-Skunk Cabbage; (+ Chishti); Fire; Sun

-Spikenard; (+ Chishti); Fire + Earth; Jupiter - Mars

-Sumac; Sumaq; Air + Water; Mercury - Saturn

-Syrian Rue; Harmal; Air; Mercury - Saturn


-Tamarind; Tamr-hindi; Air; Jupiter - Mercury

-Tamarisk; Tarfa; Air + Earth; Saturn

-Turmeric; Korkum; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun


-Valerian root; Waleriana; Air + Fire; Mars - Sun

-(Blue) Violet; Banafsa; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn


-Walnut; Juz; Air; Jupiter - Moon

-Water Lily; Bashnin; Air + Water; Saturn - Venus

-Watermelon seed; Tarbuz; Water; Moon

-Wild Gourd (Colocynthis); Hanzal; Air; Moon - Saturn

-Wormwood; Shih; Air + Fire; Mercury - Saturn

-Yerba Santa; (+ Chishti); Fire; Sun

7
Thank you so much, Dr Farr!

Violet, Rose, Sandalwood, Amber, Frankincense, Myrrh, ambrette (plant musk), Balsam of Peru, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, and Patchouli are some of the most used attars in Unani-Tibb - and of course all sorts of mixtures of them, as well as Hina (good luck getting anybody's recipe for that one, though!), Vetivert and sometimes Ylang Ylang. As well as some psuedo-attars - not false, but things like using Balsam of Peru with a few other attars to mimic Vanilla, or various floral fragrances that can't readily be got by themselves.

Interestingly, jasmine is the most common adjunct treatment for depression. Violet for calm, being overheated, and helping sleep (Avicenna thought very highly of violet!), ambrette musk for palpitations and seizure - it's also thought to help with overweight, and a mix of seven of them called Shafayat (healer in Arabic) as an 'all heal' concoction.

It's interesting to see your correspondences. I studied with the Chisti order, but I had some problems with some of my hakim's astrological associations. Avicenna didn't use them at all, of course, but a lot of hakims and hakimas do.

I really appreciate your list!